EPISTLE GENRE OF EPISTLE To understand the Christian life, it is essential for the believer to study the New Testament. The epistle is the dominant literary genre of the New Testament in terms of space. Therefore, it is essential for the mature believer to know how to study epistles to grow in his or her Christian life. An epistles is simply a letter. Like any letter, an epistle is a mixed writing form that combines literary and expository features. Epistles are primarily expository in nature- that is, they intended to explain or describe something. But despite their expository nature, there can be a variety of literary genres within a given epistle. These genres can include proverbs, liturgy, creeds, hymns, prayers, and narrative. Given the fact that epistles are primarily expository in nature, we will use the COMA method of study. If an expository work is describing something, our job to understand what that something is. To do that, we will answer the follow four questions.
COMA CONTEXT Answers the question: what is happening around what is said? The key to context is research. Any good bit of research begins with good resources. You need to understand the historical context of the epistle. Read a good reference material on author, audience, and occasion of the letter. This could come from a Bible dictionary or a good study Bible. Again, you are looking for information on the: - Author - Audience - Occasion of the letter In addition to the historical context, you will need to understand the literary context of the letter. To do this, you need to get the big picture of the letter. This bit of research needs to be done on your own by reading through the entire letter in one sitting. By doing this, you are creating a table of contents in your mind and formulating the main idea or ideas of the letter. Again, you are looking for: - Divisions of thoughts/arguments - General theme or themes of the entire letter OBSERVATION Answers the questions: what is said? The key to observation and knowing what is said is rereading. Reread. Reread. Reread. This is the most crucial step and the step people are most likely to not spend enough time on! As you reread a passage, you will notice more and more. Slowly, you will begin to see things you did not before, and eventually you will move towards understanding and mastery of the passage. To help this process, as you reread, you can look for different things each time you reread the passage. Here are some suggested things to look for as you reread the passage: - Words I don t know the definition for (look them up) - Sentence structure - Repeated words or ideas - Cause/effect relationships (if/then, because, since, therefore, since/so) - Lists - Contrasts (but, contrast, conversely, instead, rather, yet, however, still, nevertheless) - Comparisons (like, as, similarly) - Promises - Commands - What do I learn about God? - What do I learn about Jesus? - What do I learn about the Holy Spirit? - What do I learn about myself or man kind?
COMA MEANING Answers the question: what exactly does what is said mean? The key to knowing the meaning of passages is paragraphs. You have to think in paragraphs. Trace the argument of a given section, paragraph by paragraph, and in a sentence or two explain the point of each paragraph. But to really understand a passage you must not just understand the main idea of each paragraph, but also how its argument contributes to the argument of the letter as a whole. So again to accomplish this you need to answer: - What is he saying in this paragraph? - How does what he is saying in this paragraph contribute to the epistle as a whole? APPLICATION Answers the questions: how does what is said apply to my life? The key to knowing application is bridging context. If we consider the meaning of the passage, does it s context match ours today? If so we can apply the meaning of the passage directly. If not what is the principle behind the meaning? How can we apply that principle to our lives today? A helpful question to ask is, what did I learn from the passage that I sense the Holy Spirit prodding me about? This prodding or impressing could take the form of any of the following: - Laws, rules, or commands to obey - Ideals or principles to live by - Examples to imitate - Doctrines to live by - Promises to trust - Songs and prayers as examples to express to God - Sin to repent of - Conditions to meet - Verses to memorize - Errors to mark - Challenges to face - New paradigms to shape my life around
BACKGROUND AUTHOR Paul was born in Tarsus into Roman citizenship (Acts 22:28) and later educated under the illustrious rabbi, Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Zealous for the Law, Paul became the chief persecutor of the early church until his conversion when Jesus Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). Immediately, Paul began to pro- claim Jesus as Savior, eventually focusing several missionary journeys to the Gentiles throughout Asia Minor. During his journeys, he traveled to Ephesus and ministered there for almost three years (Acts 20:31). After Paul departed from Ephesus, he left Timothy behind to combat false teaching (1 Timothy 1:3). At some later point, Paul wrote this letter while in prison either in Caesarea or Rome as one of his many Prison Epistles in A.D. 60-62. RECIPIANTS Ephesus was a leading city on the west coast of Asia Minor. It essentially linked the western and eastern portions of the Roman Empire on the main highway and even possessed the most favorable seaport in the province of Asia. Due to its location within the Empire, Ephesus exerted great influence culturally, economically, and religiously. With a population over 300,000 people, Ephesus contained a theatre that seated an estimated 25,000 people. It became the center for worship of the goddess Artemis (Diana in Roman mythology), which often included temple prostitution. Her temple ranked as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and became not just a center for worship but also the primary banking institution for all of Asia Minor. As a result, Paul s apostolic ministry that turned people to Christ and away from Artemis represented a significant financial threat to temple related businesses like that of the silversmith, Demetrius (Acts 19:23-41). Ephesus also became a center of occult practice as many used magic, witchcraft, and sorcery to manipulate hostile spiri- tual powers to their advantage (Acts 19:11-20). Valentin de Boulogne (ca. 16 th century) Saint Paul Writing His Epistles
BACKGROUND EPHESUS THE CITY TIMELINE
BACKGROUND GEOGRAPHY OF EPHESUS Ephesus was a wealthy port city in the Roman province of Asia. It was a center of learning and was positioned near several key land routes in western Asia Minor. Paul probably wrote his letter to the Ephesians while under house arrest in Rome (Acts 28). BIBLIOGRAPHY This background information has been compiled from the ESV Study Bible and The Bible Knowledge Commentary. See both for more indepth knowledge.
CONTEXT Read all of Ephesians in one sitting as if you received it as a letter. How would you describe Paul s relationship with his audience? What were some of the major themes you saw as you read the letter? What was Paul s purpose in writing this letter? Read Acts 19. What do we learn about Paul? What do we learn about the recipients of Paul s letter? What do we learn about the possible circumstances of the letter? Read the provided background notes. What what most stood out to you about the context of the letter?
1:1-14 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight 9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
OBSERVATIONS
QUESTIONS What words do you not know the definition of? Write out each word with a definition. (Be honest with yourself here. Many people can use most of the bigger words in a sentence, but can you actually give a precise definition..?) Make a list of any repeated words or phrases. One phrase repeated several times is in Him or in Christ. How many times do you see this phrase? Make a list of all things that are true of us because we are in Christ. (Hint: your list should have at least 9 things.) What is the main idea of the section? To help you answer this question, first identify the main verb of this section. Identify all the specific ways Paul proclaims God has blessed us. Which seems most significant for your life? If Christ is the source of all of God s blessing for us, it would be helpful to consider what we look to outside of Christ for blessing. What do you look to outside of Christ as a source of blessing in your life?
1:15-23 15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
OBSERVATIONS
QUESTIONS Verses 15-21 comprise one massive sentence! To help you understand this sentence more, create your own outline using sub points as necessary to break down the sentence. (Note: you might find it helpful to answer question 1 and 2 together) You won t have room here. So create your outline on your observations page. Paul speaks using a number of metaphors and spiritual terms. What does it mean to be given a Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him? What does it mean to have the eyes of your heart enlightened? What are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints? What does it mean to be seated at His right hand in the heavenly places? What does it mean to be above all rule, authority, power, dominion, name, across ages? What does it mean to put something under someones feet? What does it mean to be given as head over all things to the church? Now that you have broken down the sentence and interpreted what it means, how would you sum up what Paul is saying in this sentence? What all does Paul want the Ephesians to understand about power and how it relates to us? This chapter, as well as teaching us about what God has done for us, gives us a glimpse into Paul s prayer life. What strikes you most about his prayers? How can you own prayer life deepen based on what you see in Paul s life?
2:1-10 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
OBSERVATIONS
QUESTIONS What contrasts do you see in the passage? How does Paul describe the Ephesians before God has acted upon their lives? What language does Paul use to describe what God has done in our lives in verses 5-6? (Hint: You are looking for three verbs.) Why is each significant? As you consider these three verbs, where have you seen some of them before in Ephesians? 2:1 begins with the word and showing it somehow relates to what Paul has just said in Ephesians 1. What was Paul s message in Ephesians 1:15-23? What is his message in Ephesians 2:1-10? How does the idea he began in Ephesians 1 continue in Ephesians 2:1-10? Consider the fact that Paul s audience is a group of believer (See 1:1). Yet at the same time Paul s message seems like Christianity 101 and would have been old news to the believers there. So why does Paul proclaim the message of 2:1-10 to this audience? (This question is key to understanding Ephesians!)
2:11-22 tion of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. 11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called the uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the founda-
OBSERVATIONS
QUESTIONS What contrasts do you see in this passage? What is similar about the contrasts of this passage with the one we studied previously? There are a lot of strange terms and ideas in this section. Who are the Gentiles? What is a commonwealth? What is the commonwealth of Israel? What are the covenants of promise? Who is it that is far off? Who is it that is near? Paul says that he has reconciled those who are far off and those who are near. Why did both groups need to be reconciled? What repeated words do you see in the passage? What all do we learn about peace? What situations in life do you find yourself feeling like a stranger or alien? To what extent do you view yourself as a member of the household of God?
3:1-21 1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is 1 that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God s grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in 2 God who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 13 So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory. 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family 3 in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly
OBSERVATIONS
QUESTIONS Paul seems to break off in mid sentence in verse 1. What does he stop to explain before he continues? Where do you think he picks his thought back up again? What repeated words and phrases do you see in this passage? What do we learn about the mystery that Paul is talking about? What is the Gospel he has been proclaiming and restates here? As we consider the Gospel and the mystery he is proclaiming, why does Paul pray this prayer for this particular group pf people? Why might we need this prayer prayed for us?
4:1-16 1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ s gift. 8 God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Therefore it says, When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men. 9 (In saying, He ascended, what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of
OBSERVATIONS
QUESTIONS Verse 4:1 is the most crucial sentence in Ephesians for understanding the whole structure of the epistle, so let s break it down a bit. What does it mean to be called? What does it mean to walk in a manner worthy of something? How have we been called? To describe how we are to walk in light of our calling, Paul lists a number of ways of relating to others. How would you define humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with another, and maintaining unity? (Feel free to use a dictionary with applicable words) What good news (Gospel) from chapters 1-3 does Paul appeal to as the basis for each of these ways of relating to others? (The word basis here can be tricky. Here are several questions that will help you answer this question. What good news motives me to live this way? What good news empowers me to live this way? What good news initiates me living this way? What good news influences me to live this way? Ultimately you are trying to grow in seeing how the Gospel (good news) speaks to how we live.) In this section, Paul appeals to unity of the body of Christ, but he also appeals to diversity within it. How would you describe the difference between apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers? (For this use a Bible dictionary; you can find a free one online at: biblehub.com/dictionary.) What are the ways God has gifted you to serve within the body of Christ? In the last third of this section, Paul describes the goal of the unity and diversity within the body of Christ. What is it? How have you seen growth towards this goal? Where is God calling you to grow more?
4:17-32 17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ! 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his
OBSERVATIONS
QUESTIONS Where have you seen the structure and language of 17-26 before? What is the basis of our old and new life? (Feel free to look back at the third question from last week for help with the word basis.) How might the Gentiles have walked in his day? That is, what would their lives have been like that Paul would have encouraged the believers to live differently? (You may need to re-reference the introduction portion on Ephesus at the beginning of the study) How are you tempted to walk as the culture around you? What all does Paul command the Ephesians to do in the second half of this chapter (verses 25-32)? What truths and Gospel promises of the first 3 chapters, either explicit or implicit, form the basis for each of these commands? (Explicit means that Paul actually states the basis in the passage, i.e. love others BECAUSE God loves you. Other times the because is implied (implicit). i.e. love others. When a command has a basis that is implicit it takes a little more work on your part to figure it out. As has been stated before, what good news was proclaimed in the first three chapters that empowers, motivates, initiates, or influences the new life Paul presents?) Which of these command or commands is God calling you to walk in? How does the Gospel apply to your situation?
5:1-21 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak
OBSERVATIONS
QUESTIONS Paul states his main idea for the section at the beginning. What is he saying, and how does it connect with the rest of the letter? As he develops his main idea into specific commands, the idea can be divided into positive and negative categories: do this and don t do this. What all does Paul say not to do? What all does Paul say to do? What Gospel promises of the first 3 chapters, again either explicit or implicit, form the basis for each of these commands? (Feel free to look back at the third question from two weeks ago and the fifth question from last week for help with this question.) How is God calling you to live differently? What Gospel promise is God laying on your heart?
5:22-6:9 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. let the wife see that she respects her husband. 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved discipline and instruction of the Lord. the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him. This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and
OBSERVATIONS
QUESTIONS What are each of the relationships that Paul describes? What Gospel promises of the first 3 chapters, explicitly or implicitly, form the basis for the righteous behavior in each relationship? What themes seem to run through all the relational dynamics that Paul commands? For the relationships that Paul lists that exist in your life, how is the text calling you to live differently?
6:10-24 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in 21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel 23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of
OBSERVATIONS
QUESTIONS In what sense are WE strong in HIS might? What does Paul mean? List all the pieces of the armor of God. Look up how each piece functioned and was essential for a soldier. (For this use a Bible dictionary; you can find a free one online at: biblehub.com/dictionary.) How does each of these physical functions inform its spiritual function? What did Paul proclaim in chapters 1-3 that undergirds the function of each piece of the armor? What does it mean to keep alert with all perseverance? How about to make supplication for all the saints? Practically, what does it look like to put on the whole armor of God? How would life look differently if you did this?
SUMMARY Read back through the entire letter. Create a one sentence or a few word description for each section: 1:1-15 - 1:16-23 - 2:1-10 - 2:11-22 - 3:1-21 - 4:1-16 - 4:17-32 - 5:1-21 - 5:22-6:9-6:10-24 - Create a one sentence summary of the entire book of Ephesians. Bonus: Colossians is called the twin letter of Ephesians. Reading Colossians. What similarities do you see? What differences do you see?